http://www.ananiahelectronics.com/RF8315R-s.htm
This stuff is cheap. I picked one up from Cliste, and there was a problem. The ID of each tag is sent over the serial port followed by a space. I had to plug the receiver into a linux box and do some magic with socat before I piped it off to the M1. The M1 requires that each text string is followed by a CRLF, not a space. I contacted the manufacturer, the guy who runs the site above, and asked if he could help me. He sent me 3 modified chips that output the tag ID's in the format the M1 needs. So I can now plug it directly into the ELK. It works!
He told me that if you order one of these and are using it with the M1, that you must let him know you need the modified software on it.
Then, you just toss a tag on whatever you want, and you can write rules like this to tell if it is in range or not:
Note that the tags send their ID every 2.5 seconds. I'm turning on the output for 1 minute because they are short range and you might miss some of the broadcasts. Also note that you must follow the tag ID with the ^M when you create your texts/rules or the M1 won't recognize it.
You'll need a serial expander. The default settings on mine were fine. But you need to set it up for 9600 baud, and ensure that the jumper to power the DTR pin is turned on. I couldn't get mine to work initially. Turns out my DTR power jumper was making flaky contact. I replaced it with a new jumper and it worked instantly.
At $35 for the receiver, and about $20 for tags, it's a cheap endeavor to be able to tell when cars leave or come home, to tell you if you forgot to take out the garbage, or if something expensive is leaving the property that probably shouldn't (like a lawnmower or computer). They have tags with several different ranges. You can shorten the range by trimming the antenna, or I think the 8 meter tags have a switch in them also to half the power output. I haven't looked in mine yet. Batteries are CR2032's, and are supposed to last 5 years in the tags. I bought spares off ebay, 20 for $5 or so. Don't waste your money at local stores, they want $5 each.
Just make sure if you order them, you tell him that you need the firmware that outputs "0xD0xA" instead of a space after each tag ID.
They have another model of receiver that outputs RSSI signal information for the tag ID's as they are received. It would be quite useful for estimating position within the house or on the property, but you'll have to plug them into a linux or windows box to do the logic there. Obviously the ELK can't parse and make sense of the RSSI data.
This stuff is cheap. I picked one up from Cliste, and there was a problem. The ID of each tag is sent over the serial port followed by a space. I had to plug the receiver into a linux box and do some magic with socat before I piped it off to the M1. The M1 requires that each text string is followed by a CRLF, not a space. I contacted the manufacturer, the guy who runs the site above, and asked if he could help me. He sent me 3 modified chips that output the tag ID's in the format the M1 needs. So I can now plug it directly into the ELK. It works!
He told me that if you order one of these and are using it with the M1, that you must let him know you need the modified software on it.
Then, you just toss a tag on whatever you want, and you can write rules like this to tell if it is in range or not:
Code:
WHENEVER THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS RECEIVED: "1RWt^M" THROUGH SERIAL PORT 1
THEN TURN OUTPUT 208 ON FOR 1 MINUTE (reset timer if already running)
WHENEVER OUTPUT 8 TURNS ON
THEN DO SOMETHING LIKE ANNOUNCE YOUR WIFE IS HOME
THEN OPEN THE GARAGE
WHENEVER OUTPUT 8 TURNS OFF
THEN ANNOUNCE YOUR WIFE IS LEAVING YOU AND SHE'S TAKING THE CARNote that the tags send their ID every 2.5 seconds. I'm turning on the output for 1 minute because they are short range and you might miss some of the broadcasts. Also note that you must follow the tag ID with the ^M when you create your texts/rules or the M1 won't recognize it.
You'll need a serial expander. The default settings on mine were fine. But you need to set it up for 9600 baud, and ensure that the jumper to power the DTR pin is turned on. I couldn't get mine to work initially. Turns out my DTR power jumper was making flaky contact. I replaced it with a new jumper and it worked instantly.
At $35 for the receiver, and about $20 for tags, it's a cheap endeavor to be able to tell when cars leave or come home, to tell you if you forgot to take out the garbage, or if something expensive is leaving the property that probably shouldn't (like a lawnmower or computer). They have tags with several different ranges. You can shorten the range by trimming the antenna, or I think the 8 meter tags have a switch in them also to half the power output. I haven't looked in mine yet. Batteries are CR2032's, and are supposed to last 5 years in the tags. I bought spares off ebay, 20 for $5 or so. Don't waste your money at local stores, they want $5 each.
Just make sure if you order them, you tell him that you need the firmware that outputs "0xD0xA" instead of a space after each tag ID.
They have another model of receiver that outputs RSSI signal information for the tag ID's as they are received. It would be quite useful for estimating position within the house or on the property, but you'll have to plug them into a linux or windows box to do the logic there. Obviously the ELK can't parse and make sense of the RSSI data.
However, if you buy them, it's best to go through the link I posted above, as Cliste was unable to provide me firmware that would work with the Elk. Another thing to note is that depending on the case you get for it, you may be able to put a couple of AAA batteries in the case instead of the 2032. That would give you roughly 6 times the battery life (CR2032 is about 220mah, AAA is about 1200mah, AA is about 2700). AA's would give you about 12 times the battery life. It all depends on how compact you need the units. Note that my 40 meter tags actually have two 2032's in them, not just one like the 8 meter tags. It might be worth emailing Ananiah to see what their case options are for these. The ones from Cliste came with cases, but they're nothing special.
